MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
–by Ashley Cox
–photos by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
People were streaming into the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on Saturday night for Hammer’s House Party tour which features a changing lineup by city of your favorite 90s nostalgia hip-hop acts. Saint Louis featured Tag Team, 2 Live Crew, Tone Loc, Biz Markie, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and the tour’s eponymous headliner, MC Hammer.
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography.
It was a simple, blank stage with a DJ spinning popular R&B and Hip hop hits to keep the crowd dancing and singing between the multiple, shorts sets. I have gone to a few of these nostalgia line ups for pop and alt bands from the 90s/2000s and frequently they are, frankly, depressing. You have aging stars with vocal damage that are visibly checked out and there for the check. This is NOT one of those shows. The crowd and the bands were all clearly having a good time.
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
The lady in front of me said she felt somewhat hoodwinked because some bands, such as 2 Live Crew, weren’t comprised of the original line up or some, such as Tone Loc, relied on their hype men to bring some extra energy to the stage. While perturbed in between sets, her annoyance melted away every time one of her favorite songs came on and she danced the night away with her friends.
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Openers Tag Team sounded exactly the same during their hit “Whoomp! (There It Is).” 2 Live Crew brought the nasty with lyrics just as charged today as when they were battling it out in court over obscenity in the 90s. Biz Markie, the Clown Prince of Hip Hop, was a joy to watch. He performed his hits, including “Vapors” and, of course, “Just a Friend,” as well as several covers including an ode to Prince. The night featured several such tributes. 2 Live Crew had everyone raise their fingers in the air for Fresh Kid Ice, a founding member, who died in 2017 of liver failure. The DJ called out the names of deceased R&B and hip hop stars, and other members of the culture. MC Hammer dedicated “Pray” to victims of our increasing mass shooting events as well as Ferguson as Friday also marked the 5th year since the death of Mike Brown.
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc and Sir Mix-A-Lot drew out my childhood memories of visiting my aunt during the summer. She had a convertible and a car phone and was the height of 90s glamour to me. We would sing to “Funky Cold Medina” and “Baby Got Back” on her tape deck. The years have taken a toll on the vocal cords of Tone Loc, his gravelly voice sounds almost painful. He still rocked it though joked that he and his tourmates were part of the “oxygen tank crew” and hopefully the crowd would cut them some slack on any fumbles.
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Mix was my surprise hit of the night. He looks and sounds exactly the same. He opened with “My Hooptie”, followed by an unexpected cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (I will never forget my bewilderment at seeing Sir Mix a Lot yell a random “Mulatto” at the crowd). He descended into the crowd for “Baby Got Back” was mobbed by women in their 50/60s tipsy on Budweiser and memories.
Sir Mix-A-Lot in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer glided onto the stage with a cadre of dancers. The talented team was made up of almost 20 men and women who would stay stock still at the end of the number until Hammer yelled, “DEFROST.” No hammer pants were present, instead black track suits, which must have been insanely hot during in the Saint Louis summer heat but you couldn’t tell. While there were abnormally long gaps between the songs, it was worth it for Hammer and company to reset, get a drink of water, and kill it again onstage. “2 Legit 2 Quit” had me dancing and cheering as Hammer and the dancers showed off.
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Even though this is his first tour of this level in some time, it was not evident. He was polished and able to keep up with his lyrics and dancers. I hope he continues hosting the house party to showcase these bands and himself. It was insanely fun and drew a crowd of all ages and demographics.
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer having fun with some fans at his concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer having fun with some fans at his concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Sir Mix-A-Lot in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Sir Mix-A-Lot in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tag Team in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Sir Mix-A-Lot in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Local late night celebrity “Mister Gary” Boyd joined 2 Live Crew during their concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer having fun with some fans at his concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer having fun with some fans at his concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography.
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
A few of MC Hammer’s dancers in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer having fun with some fans at his concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
2 Live Crew in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Biz Markie in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Tone Loc in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
MC Hammer in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
Sir Mix-A-Lot in concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Friday. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography
